Northern Scandinavia in Winter

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
8 Days
From AUD $6025
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


 (3 reviews)

Northern Scandinavia in Winter

Northern Scandinavia in Winter

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
4.3
3 Reviews
View Map
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Make the most of the cold season and take a trip to Lapland in winter – this is Northern Scandinavia blanketed in white! Over eight days, you’ll travel through Finland, Sweden and Norway to see a hotel carved from ice, bake bread the traditional Swedish way, visit the UNESCO-listed church town of Gammelstad and search for the Northern Lights. Take a tour at night with a local expert in Abysko National Park and give yourself the best opportunity to see the sky light up, then meet the local Sami people and soak up their history, way of life and resident reindeer. Wander around beautiful cities and small towns, like Rovaniemi (Santa's official hometown), Lulea, Narvik and Tromso – all with a local leader by your side to give you all the insights.

Highlights

  • Journey through Lapland – the home of Santa Claus – in winter. During this harsh but incredibly beautiful season, there are far less tourists and you’ll be treated to a new perspective of Northern Scandinavia.
  • Learn the traditional break-baking techniques and surrounding folklore during a fun workshop in Lulea. Then, walk through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gammelstad Church Town by lantern light with a local guide.
  • Discover the fascinating culture and traditions of the Sami people – Europe's only Indigenous people – and meet a local reindeer herder in the village.
  • Take a Northern Lights tour as nightfall descends in the scenic Abysko National Park – this is one of the best places in the world to spot the colourful displays of the Aurora Borealis!
  • Travel to new cities you’ve never seen blanketed in snow – like Narvik, where you can visit the war museum, and Tromso, where you can walk along the picturesque streets packed with colourful houses.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Train,Public bus,Private vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Rovaniemi, Finland

Finishes

Tromso, Finland

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Rovaniemi
Tervetuloa! Welcome to Finland. Your adventure begins in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. This city is an urban oasis in the Arctic wilderness, full of culture and scenic hiking opportunities. If you arrive early, maybe explore the city at your own pace, visit Santa’s workshop, or go hiking among the rapids and aapa mires. After the meeting tonight, consider heading out with your leader and fellow travellers for an optional welcome dinner.

Included Activities:

  • Rovaniemi - Welcome meeting

Optional Activities:

  • Rovaniemi - Arktikum (20 EUR)
  • Rovaniemi - Santa Claus Village - Free

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Rovaniemi
Head out on a leader-led orientation walk of Rovaniemi this morning. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, this modern city is known for being the ‘official’ hometown of Santa Claus, as well as a popular spot to see the Northern Lights. After your walk, you’ll take the bus to the Arctic Snowhotel – carved differently every year and with a temperature of 0 to -5 °C, the walls and furniture inside are all completely made from snow and ice! Explore the rooms, adorned with snow art and light installations and maybe stop at the ice bar for a drink. After, return to Rovaniemi and maybe visit Arktikum – a museum and science centre that explores the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland. You might like to spend the afternoon pedalling through the city on a bike, or on the Ounasvaara walking trail – here, you can wander through the forest, past a ski area to a wooden observation tower for views over the white expanse.

Included Activities:

  • Rovaniemi – Rovaniemi Leader led orientation walk
  • Rovaniemi - Snow Hotel Entrance

Optional Activities:

  • Kemi - Sampo Icebreaker from (300 EUR)
  • Rovaniemi - Fatbike rentals (50 EUR)
  • Rovaniemi - Ounasvaara Winter Walking Trail and Observation Tower - Free

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Lulea
Drive to Lulea – a coastal city in Swedish Lapland known for its cluster of well-preserved wooden houses and the stone Nederlulea Church, built in the 1400s. When you arrive, head to UNESCO World Heritage site of Gammelstadt Church Town. Learn about the history of the largest and most well preserved church in the glow of lanterns town in the world with your local guide and get to visit a church cottage. Afterwards, learn about the Swedish baking traditions of kladda bread, try the techniques out for ourself and hear about Swedish folklore beliefs (it's said that the number of folds on your bread will reveal how many suitors you’ll have!).

Included Activities:

  • Lulea - Gammelstadt Lantern Tour and Bread baking

Optional Activities:

  • Lulea - Norrbottens museum - Free
  • Lulea - Dog sledding (1600 SEK)
  • Lulea - Northern lights tour (990 SEK)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Abisko National Park
Travel like the locals this morning and hop on a public bus (or train, depending on (vailability) from Lulea to Abisko National Park located in the heart of Swedish Lapland and known for it's majestic beauty and year around activities. Take a needed rest before, pack the most warm clothing and head out in the darkness to the incredibly scenic Abysko National Park to go hunting for the magic of the Northern Lights with a local guide. If you’re lucky, you might see the natural displays of colours – green, red and purple – light up the sky. Did you know that the Vikings believed the Northern Lights were Valkyries taking fallen soldiers to Valhalla?

Included Activities:

  • Kiruna - Orientation Walk
  • Abysko NP - Northern Light Hunting Trip

Optional Activities:

  • Kiruna - LKAB’s Visitor Center (525 SEK)
  • Kiruna - Aurora Spa Visit - Free
  • Kiruna - Husky Northern Light tou (2250 SEK)

Accommodation:

  • Cabins (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Abisko National Park
Today, you’ll head out on a daytrip to the Sami Village – the Sami are Europe’s only recognised Indigenous people. When you arrive in their homeland, you’ll meet with some of the locals and learn about traditional Sami culture, traditional knowledge and their relationship with nature. Meet with a local reindeer herder and hear stories about how reindeer are integral to their livelihoods. You’ll then sit down to enjoy a traditional lunch with the locals. After, head back to Abisko National Park for the night, where you’re free to find a good dinner spot or rug up and sit outside, in search of a sky lit up by colour.

Included Activities:

  • Lapland - Trip to Sami village with lunch

Accommodation:

  • Cabins (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Tromso
Today will be a bit of a long travel day as you head to Tromso. You’ll first take the train to Narvik, where you’ll have a couple of hours to stretch your legs and find some lunch. Narvik is an ice-free port, originally built to ship iron ore from the mines in Kiruna – Nazi Germany tried to gain control of this vital supply during World War II and the Allies tried to stop them. If you like, you can visit the war museum here and learn more about the town’s history. Then, take the bus to Tromso, a vibrant city in the Arctic nestled among beautiful mountains, fjords and islands.

Optional Activities:

  • Narvik - War Museum (150 NOK)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Tromso
This morning after breakfast, head out on an orientation walk through Tromso’s colourful houses, backdropped by snowy peaks. With your leader, you’ll explore some of the sights of this gorgeous city, then you’re free to choose your own adventure. Maybe go on a show-shoeing mission to help the local Arctic owls, join whale watching or just soak in the sauna! In the afternoon, regroup with your fellow travellers and head over to MACK Brewery for guided visit. This is the most northernmost brewery in the world and was founded back in 1877. After the tour, enjoy a final evening in Tromso.

Included Activities:

  • Tromso - Orientation Walk
  • Tromso - MACK Brewery Guided Visit

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Tromso
With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Tromso and increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time and organise additional accommodation.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $6,025
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 14 Mar 2026

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Kristina
Traveled, August 2024

08/22/2024

It was a lovely trip with a fun group and an excellent leader in Dushan. The itinerary was well planned and the accommodation was ok and I suspect being on the classic. Level what was to be expected. The only negative was the walk to the Oslo hotel which had us walking past people shooting no up and some

5.0
LOUISE
Traveled, August 2024

08/18/2024

The itinerary was great and we thought well paced we got to see lots of things. Our guide was terrific, a fun and easy to get along with guy. He fitted in so well with the other travellers and we all had a fun trip. He was organised and very accommodating for all.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now